The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has led to more than $1 billion in donations. If you've yet to donate money to the relief efforts through a charity, at the supermarket, through your house of worship, on the Internet, during telethons, at one of the two dozen concerts benefiting disaster relief, or over the web, the Miami Heat has conjured up yet another way to get you to dig into your pockets.

On Monday, October 10, at the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami) the Heat hosts the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs in an exhibition game, with proceeds going toward the relief effort. All of the revenue from ticket sales, concessions, parking, and retail sales will be contributed to the American Red Cross. Additionally, many of the vendors, American Airlines Arena employees, and other staff will donate their time. Even Ticketmaster is waiving its "convenience" fees -- how convenient. So Big Sports companies with eight-digit revenues and superrich athletes really can pitch in for a charitable cause. The big question: Is anybody going to play defense?

See for yourself starting at 7:30 p.m., with fans getting opportunities to interact with the players before and after the game. Tickets cost $10 to $300. Call 800-4NBA-TIX, or visit www.nba.com/heat. -- Paul A. Leone

Ice the Beer

And watch the puck

FRI 10/7

OK, kids, since the NHL just resumed operations after a yearlong strike, let's review a few hockey terms. (You do remember what hockey is, right? Ice, skates, toothless guys, bloody noses? Yeah, that's it!) When a single player makes three goals in a game, it's called a "hat trick." When a player shoots the puck all the way down the rink, it's called "icing the puck." When a skater slams into an opponent, it's called a "body check." When a player stabs his opponent with the point of his stick, it's called "spearing." And "professional hockey" is another way of saying "an adrenaline fest featuring bad behavior, hot tempers, and sanctioned violence -- all cheerily disguised as sport and best enjoyed while sucking down a beer" inside the BankAtlantic Center (1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise). At 7:30 p.m. Friday, the Florida Panthers skate against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tickets cost $20 to $250. Call 954-835-PUCK, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. -- Deirdra Funcheon

Devil's Feeling Blue

Blue Devils come down to get beat up

SAT 10/8

The University of Miami Hurricanes' meeting with the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at the Orange Bowl (1501 NW Third St., Miami) would be the biggest game of the 'Canes season -- if they were playing basketball. Unfortunately for Duke, this is football, and they'll likely put up less of a fight than a New Orleans levee. The Washington Generals have a better shot against the Harlem Globetrotters. Next week's game against Temple will provide the 'Canes' final warm-up before they meet a ranked Georgia Tech team at home on October 22. The beating commences at 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45. Call 1-800-GO-CANES, or visit www.hurricanesports.com. -- Paul A. Leone

Boats, Beach, and Brazilians

FRI 10/7

Don't be alarmed by the barrage of boats making waves this weekend at Deerfield Beach; they're just practicing for the Super Boat National Championships. Although the race doesn't begin till 11 a.m. Sunday, practice runs are held Friday and Saturday, while the city's annual Brazilian Fest takes place Saturday and Sunday at the main beach parking lot (the intersection of A1A and Hillsboro Boulevard). Call 954-480-4433. -- Jason Budjinski

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